Design Explorer

Evaluate designs by using geometric variables and applying a design-of-experiments (DOE) or optimization method.

DOE (Design-of-Experiments)

A DOE is a series of tests in which purposeful changes are made to the variables to investigate their effect upon the output responses and to get an understanding of the global behavior of a design problem. By running a DOE, you can determine which factors are most influential on an output response.

Optimization

An optimization is a mathematical procedure used to determine the best values for given design variables with a specific objective in mind.

An objective is something measured in the model through a response. A typical objective may be something like minimizing displacement, stress, or mass.

Constraints can also be added, which set conditions for responses or the variables that need to be satisfied. A typical response constraint might be the yield stress of the part. A variable constraint could be that a certain length can vary between 1–3 mm.
Restriction: The Design Explorer ribbon is currently supported by OptiStruct and SimSolid solvers.